Support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A support apparatus ( 10 ) for trees ( 12 ) comprising a mounting part ( 14 ) in the form of a plurality of brackets ( 16 ) interconnected by ties ( 24 ), engageable around the tree ( 12 ), and a ground engaging member ( 32 ) extendible from each bracket ( 16 ) at an inclination to the tree ( 12 ).

This application claims the benefit of Provisional application Ser. No.60/099,411, filed Sep. 3, 1998.

This invention relates to support apparatus, and particularly but notexclusively support apparatus for trees, plants or other upstandingitems.

Conventionally trees and other tall plants are supported by the use of asingle stake inserted in the ground next thereto, and to which the treeor plant is tied. This arrangement is often not wholly satisfactory, anddifficulties can often be encountered when knocking the stake into theground, particularly as it is immediately adjacent the tree or plant.

According to the present invention there is provided a support apparatusfor an upstanding item, the apparatus comprising a mounting partengageable around the item at a point thereon spaced above the ground,and a supporting part in the form of a plurality of substantially rigidground engaging elongate members extendible from the mounting part atspaced locations and inclined relative to the item, to engage with theground and thereby support the upstanding item.

The mounting part may comprise a plurality of mounting membersinterconnected by one or more variable length members to permit mountingaround different size items.

The interconnecting members may comprise ties, which ties mayautomatically lock tight. Alternatively the interconnecting members maycomprise a strap or straps.

A mounting member may be provided for each elongate member. Eachelongate member may be pivotally mountable on a respective mountingmember. Each elongate member may be removably mountable on a respectivemounting member. A projection may be provided on the mounting part foreach elongate member, with the projection engageable through an openingin the respective elongate member. The projection may be threaded and athreaded member may be engageable therewith to hold the respectiveelongate member thereon. The threaded member may comprise a wing nut.

Each mounting member may comprise a housing with an in use generallydownward facing opening, in which opening an end of a respectiveelongate member is locatable. The housings may be of circular orrectangular cross-section.

The mounting members may be slidably mounted on the interconnectingmembers or member. The mounting members may comprise one or moreopenings or a sleeve arrangement through which the interconnectingmembers or member extend.

Three elongate members may be provided. The elongate members may bevariable in length and may be telescopic. A plurality of holes may beprovided in one part of the elongate members alignable with a hole inanother part of the elongate members, with locking means engageable inthe aligned holes.

A pointed part or similar may be provided at the lower end of theelongate members to be ground engageable.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a first supportapparatus according to the invention in use;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively diagrammatic front and rear perspectiveviews of part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a further part of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a second apparatusaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a third apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show support apparatus 10 suitable for supporting anupstanding item such as a tree 12. The apparatus 10 comprises a mountingpart 14 in the form of three identical brackets 16. Each bracket 16comprises an arcuate section plate 18 from which a threaded projection20 extends at an upwards inclination in use. Holes 22 are provided oneach side of the projection 20.

The part 14 also comprises three ties 24 for connecting the brackets 16together in a loop around the tree 12. The ties 24 are of the type witha plurality of indents 26 in which a projection (not shown) located in asleeve 28 automatically locates such that when the ties 24 are pulledtight they automatically lock in position.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a supporting part 30 in the form ofthree elongate members 32. The members 32 comprise a top bar 34 with anopening 36 adjacent the top end thereof through which a one of theprojections 20 can extend in use. The members 32 also comprise a squaresection tube 38 from which the bar 34 telescopically extends. Aplurality of spaced holes 40 are provided towards the lower end of thebar 34 and alignable with a hole 42 towards the top of the tube 38. Apin 44 is mounted near the top of the tube 38 by a cord 46, and islocatable through the holes 40, 42 when aligned to lock the bar 34 inposition. A pointed foot 48 is provided at the lower end of the tube 30to be ground engageable.

In use the tree 12 is supported by the three elongate members 32 asshown, with the projections 20 extending through the openings 36, withthe projections 20 held in position by wing nuts 50 threadedly engagingthereon. The tubes 38 can readily be inserted into the ground atrequired positions clear from the tree 12, and the position of the bars34 adjusted telescopically.

FIG. 5 shows a further similar apparatus 52. In this instance ratherthan providing a projection on the mounting part, this part comprisesbrackets 54 each with a pair of spaced lugs 56 with holes 58 towards theend thereof. The elongate members 60 can be mounted on the brackets 54by hammering nails through the respective holes 58 to engage thereinto.Alternatively, if a transverse hole is provided through the top of themembers 60 a pin or other member can be located extending therethrough.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative similar apparatus 70. In this embodimenteach mounting member comprises a bracket 74 which comprises asubstantially square housing 78 with an opening facing the ground. Thehousing 78 slides over the upper end of the elongate member 72. Thebracket is further provided with openings 76 one on each side of thehousing 78 to locate the ties or for straps to extend through to connectthe brackets together in a loop around a tree. The bracket 74 and thehousing 78 are integrally formed.

There is thus described support apparatus for trees, other plants orother upstanding items. The apparatus is of relatively straightforwardconstruction and can thus be inexpensively and robustly manufactured. Asthe elongate members are inclined relative to the upstanding item it ismuch easier for them to be inserted in the ground. The telescopic natureof the elongate members allows the mounting part to be provided at anappropriate place on the article.

The third apparatus comprising the housing has the advantage that itcovers the bare end of the elongate member and prevents rain frompenetrating the wood. This apparatus is particularly suited for massproduction as it could be moulded out of the same material.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, the mounting brackets may be differentlyformed and could be held on the upstanding item other than by the ties.For instance, straps could be used. The elongate members could bemounted on the brackets by a different means. The elongate members couldcomprise more than two components and a different telescopic arrangementmay be provided such as one which provides for infinite adjustment withfor instance a locking screw. A different number of elongate memberscould be provided.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

What is claimed is:
 1. A support apparatus for an upstanding plantingcomprising; a) mounting mechanism for snugly surrounding a trunk of aplanting, the mechanism including a plurality of mounting brackets andan elongate tie for surrounding a planting and securing the brackets atcircumferentially spaced locations about such a planting; b) each of thebrackets including an attached projection having a mounting portionextending outwardly from the attached bracket and extending outwardlyfrom an associated trunk of a planting when the apparatus is in use; c)a plurality of elongate apertured support members each associated whenin use with one of the brackets, the projection of the associatedbracket projecting through an aperture of the associated support memberwhen in use; d) a plurality of fasteners each associated with adifferent one of the projections for securing the associated projectionand associated support member together when in use; and, e) the supportmembers when in use to support a trunk of a planting each extendingdownwardly and outwardly from the associated projection to earth aroundthe planting whereby to support the planting.
 2. A support apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterised in that, the mounting bracketsinclude openings through which the tie extends.
 3. A support apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterised in that, a plurality of ties areprovided.
 4. A support apparatus according to claim 3, characterized inthat, the ties (24) automatically lock tight.
 5. A support apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterised in that a bracket is provided foreach elongate member.
 6. A support apparatus according to claim 5,characterised in that, each elongate member is removably mountable onthe associated projection.
 7. A support apparatus according to claim 5,characterised in that, each elongate member is pivotally mountable onthe associated projection.
 8. A support apparatus according to claim 1,characterised in that, each projection (20) is threaded.
 9. A supportapparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that, each fastener isa threaded member engageable with the associated projection to hold therespective associated elongate member thereon.
 10. A support apparatusaccording to claim 9, characterised in that, each threaded membercomprises a wing nut.
 11. A support apparatus according to claim 1,characterised in that, three elongate members are provided.
 12. Asupport apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that, theelongate members are variable in length.
 13. A support apparatusaccording to claim 12, characterised in that, the elongate members (32,60, 72) are telescopic.
 14. A support apparatus according to claim 13,characterised in that, a plurality of holes (40) is provided in one part(34) of the elongate members (32, 60, 72) alignable with a hole (42) inanother part of the elongate members (38), with locking means (44)engageable in the aligned holes.